EXTENDED SNORKELLING & CRUISING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Snorkelling and Cruising the Great Barrier Reef, North Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is a declared World Heritage site and is a natural wonder of the world made up of more than 2500 kms of living Coral. Snorkelling is one of the best ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef and there are a wide variety of well organised, professional snorkelling experiences leaving on a daily basis from Cairns out to the Great Barrier Reef.

Snorkelling is one of the best ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef and there are a wide variety of well organised, professional extended snorkelling experiences leaving on a daily basis from Cairns out to the Great Barrier Reef. Budget packages through to more upmarket trips are available year round – slow casual boats, super fast catamarans and luxury sailing vessels – YOU choose!! We have featured a few of our favourites – guaranteed to ensure you one of the most enjoyable reef experiences possible.

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES

SANTA MARIA

CORAL SEA DREAMING

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES

Small ship cruising takes you far from the beaten track and close up to places no other kind of cruising can reach. MV Reef Endeavour’s small size means it can negotiate remote reefs, islands and shallow bays where bigger ships just cannot go. Yet her innovative design provides “big ship” extra comforts including a pool, extensive outer decks and much more.

You set the agenda: active or laid back. They provide the necessaries, close encounters with extraordinary places, expert guides and naturalists, superb dining, entertainment and good company.

Facilities

Swimming pool, two spa pools, sun deck, sauna an gym, glass bottomed boat, snorkeling and dive vessels, two bars, two lounges and a single-sitting dining saloon, gift shop, chart house, library and videos; guest laundry and 24 hours coffee and tea facilities; life from D Deck to Sun Deck (limited access) satellite communications, telephone and fax.

Accommodation

75 staterooms and cabins each with private bathroom ensuites, on/off air-conditioning, telephone, hair dryer, soaps, shampoo and towels, serviced daily. Each cabin is approximately 14 sq metres.

Staterooms open onto outside walkways and have picture windows.

Cabins open to an inside passageway and have portholes facing the outside

Dining

Superb dining specializing in fresh local produce is central to life aboard the Reef Endeavour. You will enjoy lavish buffet breakfasts, luncheons that feature fresh Barrier Reef seafood and a la carte dinners with a different menu every night.

Cruise Inclusions

Every cruise included on-board accommodation, all meals, all on-board facilities, snorkeling equipment, glass-bottomed boat excursions, guided rainforest and island walks, marine naturalist. Prices excludes drinks, personal purchases, optional tours such as scuba diving and Environment Management Charge (approx $13.50 pp)

PRICING
3 Nights 4 Nights 7 Nights

Cabin $1235 $1646 $2593
Stateroom $1488 $1984 $3124
Top Deck Stateroom $1710 $2280 $3591

North Bound Cruise – 4 Nights
Depart Trinity Wharf Cairns Monday 2.00 pm (boarding 1.00 pm)
Return Trinity Wharf Cairns Friday 8.00 am

Monday
Towering rainforest, giant ferns and native orchids await you on Fitzroy Island. Join the escorted walk along the shady paths of this canopied wilderness.

Tuesday
Visit remote Cooktown where in 1770, Captain James Cook, sought refuge by the river. A century later thousands came in search of gold. Today’s visitors find a quieter place with a rich history to explore. In the afternoon they sail for Two Isles. This tiny cay ringed by white coral-sand beaches is a sanctuary for rare bird species and occasional sea turtles, and perfect for snorkeling.

Wednesday
Surrounded by exceptional fringing reefs, Lizard Island is the jewel of the Barrier Reef. Meander across fringes of white sand, don snorkeling gear to explore the giant clam gardens off Mrs Watson’s Bay, step into a glass-bottomed boat and dawdle over acres of coral or hit the trail up Cooks Look like a true explorer.

Thursday

Snorkel in bright clear water over staghorn, fan, sea whip, brain and boulder corals as giant potato cod, rays, reef sharks and coral trout swim below. Aboard the glass-bottomed boat, the marine naturalist illuminates the extraordinary habitat of Ribbon Reef No. 5.

Friday
We return to Cairns in the morning.

South Bound Cruise – 3 Nights
Depart Trinity Wharf Cairns – Friday 2.00 pm (boarding 1.00 pm)
Return Trinity Wharf Cairns – Monday 8.00 am

Friday
Towering rainforest, giant ferns and native orchids await you on Fitzroy Island. Join the escorted walk along the shady paths of this canopied wilderness.

Saturday
Snorkellers come face to face with clouds of intensely coloured reef fish. Passengers in the glass-bottomed boat hear the marine naturalist describe life among the coral bomboras of Hedley Reef. A whole day to explore these coral gardens.

Sunday
A breathtaking cruising passage through the Hinchinbrook Channel. Enjoy the spectacular vista of densely forested mountains, mangroves and sun drenched beaches in the morning mist. The marine naturalist explains the channel’s diverse habitats that shelter species from dugongs and dolphins to migrating whales.

In the high rainforest canopies of Dunk Island exotic bird and plant life abounds. There is life too at the island’s resort where you can drop in for a quiet drink, a hit of tennis, a round of golf or a swim.

Monday

Return to Cairns in the morning.

With every attention to your comfort and well being, the experienced and professional crews will make your stay onboard an adventure of a lifetime exclusive to a small group. You can join in and help sail the boat or just “supervise” from the deck.

Locations such as Thetford, Moore and Briggs reef are specially selected for the abundant marine life and spectacular coral formation. Enjoy these pristine sites not visited by the masses at your own pace.

Departures: Monday & Friday

Diving:

Departures: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Diving:
Certified Diving $40 per dive
Package $120 (4 dives)
$15 extra for night dives

Introductory Diving
$60 first dive
$50 subsequent dives
Package $100 (2 dives)

Nature sets the perfect scene. Whether you choose to dive, snorkel or stay dry, you will marvel at the spectacle that is the Great Barrier Reef. Quality equipment is supplied with free tuition for snorkellers. Introductory scuba dives, dive packages, night dives and advanced courses are available.